People on the streets of Nottinghamshire have slammed Ashfield MP Lee Anderson’s comments about food banks, which he made in Parliament on May 11th. Mr Anderson said that there is not a “massive use” for food banks and that people should be able to feed themselves for 30p a meal made from scratch. He said that a lack of basic cooking skills and budgeting was causing people to access food banks.
Many of the people Nottinghamshire Live spoke to disagreed with the Conservative MP's comments with one theme being that Mr Anderson’s views do not reflect the struggles that many people are facing. It has been reported that 2 million adults in the UK can’t afford to eat everyday due to the cost of living.
Hucknall student Romy Lee, 23, said: “What he’s [Lee Anderson] said is trending on Twitter at the moment.
“How did he not know that this was going to be controversial? Of course I disagree, who can make a meal for 30p? Fair enough, pasta may be 30p but when you burn gas to cook that pasta and to add pasta sauce and whatever else, it costs so much more."
Romy believes MPs should understand about real people's issues. "Lee Anderson definitely doesn’t eat for 30p a day," said Romy. "He should be ashamed, apologise and resign, he doesn’t represent me.”
More than 37,000 emergency food parcels were given to households across Nottinghamshire struggling in the last year, according to figures from food banks. Many of those food parcels went to families with children.
Retiree Vernon Mason, 77, also condemned Lee Anderson comments about food banks and thinks that more should be done to support those genuinely in need.
The Hucknall resident said: “I think food banks are good but people do take advantage. In my opinion, people on benefits should be taxed, there’s people out there working 40 hours a week, paying for travel but can’t afford things and they’re getting taxed more than the people on benefits. I don’t agree with the MPs comments, people who are struggling shouldn’t be made to feel bad.”
As an MP, Lee Anderson earns £84,144 a year. He claimed business expenses of £219,703.44 from 2020 to 2021 and has been an MP for Ashfield since 2019. During his speech, he said that there is a “brilliant” scheme at a local food bank in one of his Ashfield constituencies where when people get budgeting and cookery lessons after registering for free food.
Some people were quick to back him, and said it was good to bring the subject into the open.
One person who wished to remain anonymous told our reporter: “I do kind of understand where he’s coming from in terms of budgeting. Some people have Netflix accounts but can’t feed themselves.
"Ditch the Netflix account and the amount you pay from that will add up. It’s only a small amount but it’ll make some difference. I’m a bit in the middle with what was said, I know it’s controversial but when you break down what he’s said, some of it did make sense.”
Nurse Sarah Bray agreed with one part of what was said but the 46-year-old added that she thought most of the speech was insensitive.
"“I think his comments were really silly," she said. "People are really struggling. Although I can understand his comments on people learning to cook and stuff but that should just be a natural thing, he shouldn’t be talking about people who can’t feed their children. It’s just so difficult, he should be supporting those food banks not making silly comments.”
Self-employed Graham Carrington called Mr Anderson’s comments “ridiculous”. The 57-year-old said: “It’s a ridiculous comment. It’s apparent people are struggling and given he’s from the area, I’m sure he’s aware of the situation."
"I think it’s an image he’s trying to project by trying to protect Boris Johnson in some way. But Lee Anderson should know better.”
Seventy-four year-old Margaret Clarke was shocked to hear what had been said. Margaret told Nottinghamshire Live: “People are struggling and have lost jobs, it’s been difficult.
“I always go to see what the foodbank here needs and donate. Everything has gone through the roof. Things haven’t increased by 5p or 10p, things have gone up by 25p and 30p. It’s always one rule for us and another rule for them [MPs] they do what they want, they don’t live in the real world.”
Independent Counsellor Richard MacRae representing the Stapleford Ward has been supporting food banks for over 5 years. Responding to Lee Anderson's comments, Councillor MacRae has said: "If Lee wants to help me in Stapleford when I'm out at 7.30 in the morning, he's more than welcome or to have a chat with some of these people.
"Because of the cost of living, everything is going up and with food banks, it's not just food you get, it's the help, support and advice. I've been collecting surplus food for over 5 years and we support many foodbanks and many organisations, there is a need for this kind of work, we're helping people in genuine need and who are struggling."
